The Early Modern English use of either as a conjunction is now quite obsolete. Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother [etc.]. LUKE, VI, 42. b) Negativing an alternative of course amounts to negativing the two members. Consequently negative alternative co-ordination is equivalent to negative copulative co-ordination, and in many cases interchangeable with it. Thus: He has not either relations or friends He has neither relations nor friends. (CH. X, 10, IV.) Similarly or and and are sometimes interchangeable. Thus or could replace and in It was not a mere visionary and idler. BULW., RIENZI. Every fellow has some cupboard in his house, which he would not like you and me to peep into. PEND., II, CH. VII, 71. You are not to think, my dearest Esther, that I fail to see what you see, and fear what you fear. BLEAK HOUSE, CH. LX, 506. Also when two matters mentioned in an alternative are compared with a third, alternative co-ordination approaches to copulative coordination, insomuch that either.. or becomes almost exchangeable for both.. and. Freedom was wanting, a want as fatal as that of either capital or Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as either Mrs. Hurst or An old bachelor is far more happy than either a bad husband or a c) Or is often found before a rectifying statement. I became attached, or fancied I was attached to a woman of a much lower degree and a greater age than my own. PEND., II, CH. XX, 215. In this case it is often followed by rather or at least, by the latter, when the rectification is intended as a qualification of the idea rectified. He gave much money to the poor, or rather to those who pretended His remarks did not vex her; or, at least, she showed no vexation. 1) SCHMIDT, § 450. At least is often used without or. He is very poor, at least he has not the wherewithal to buy In colloquial language the use of at least is extended to rectifications intended to annul a previous statement, or to such as are superior to a previous statement. STOF., STUD., 8, 225. We can't simply exist, and ignore all that is going on in the world around us at least we can, for it is just what we are doing. L. B. WALFORD, STAY-AT-HOMES, CH. I. I got him to bring me over here this morning in his carriage; at least not his own carriage, for we had a break-down in the night, but one we hired instead. CHUZ., CH. XLIV, 343a. I'll tell you at least Do you mind telling me why you are so tremendously anxious to have me come out this very minute? I don't know that I can; wait till we are outside. MAR. CRAWFORD, I came here hoping to see you. I want to talk seriously to you. I believe at least I know HOUSE, CH. XVII, 147. that he was not rich. BLEAK d) Sometimes the second statement expresses what would be the result, if the matter contained in the first were not to be fulfilled. e) This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come A considerable latitude must be allowed in the discussion of public When or connects two clauses, the first of these is always introduced by the conjunction whether; the second only when it is. full. (CH. XIV, 4, b; CH. XVII, 97.) 14. Weak or is frequently found before what is merely another name for the first member. N. E. GR., § 415. Young Johnson had the misfortune to be much afflicted with the scrofula or king's evil. BoswORTH, LIFE OF JOHNSON. 1) SCHMIDT, § 451. Sometimes the second name is explanatory. N. E. GR., § 415. See also CH. IV, 5. I passed some time in Poet's Corner, which occupies an end of the transepts, or cross aisles of the Abbey. SKETCH-BOOK, WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 15. Else and otherwise are found: a) at the head of a statement expressing what would be the result if the matter contained in the previous statement were not to be fulfilled. i. ii. "Have you brought any venison, Jacob?" said Benjamin, grinning, "else, I reckon, you'll not be over welcome." CHILDR. OF THE NEW FOR., CH. II, 14. We must make haste, otherwise we shall be too late. N. E. GR., § 420. There must, of course, be a central controlling body, otherwise there could be no effective combination, and there must be a reduction of separate stuffs and plants of various kinds, otherwise there could be no considerable economies. TIMES. All Mss. must be accompanied by stamps, otherwise they will not be returned. PALL MALL MAG. b) at the head of a statement containing a conclusion that would be unavoidable, if the assertion expressed by the previous statement were to be rejected. But this is what the country wants. Else there would be no meaning in political unions or any other movement that knows what it is about. MID., CH. XLVI, 340. In a falling stone there is not the "stone" and thing called "motion"; otherwise there would be also another thing called "rest". LEWES, HIST. OF PHILOS., 75. A further development of this meaning of else is that of if it is not believed, which is now rare or dialectical. Otherwise does not occur in this sense. St. Peter being the greater apostle, ask the Pope else. PERKINS 1). 16. Else and otherwise are more dignified than or. They are often combined with this conjunction. Follow me, child, or else these stones will be thy bier. KEATS, 1) MURRAY, i. v. else. 4c. So if you funk, you just come along and hide, or else they'll catch you and toss you. Toм BROWN, I, CH. VI, 123. Or else is also found to introduce a pure alternative. MURRAY, i. v. else, 4, b. They go to some of the swell clubs, or else to some grand dinner party. PEND., I, Cн. XXIX, 314. POUTSMA, A Grammar of Late Modern English. II. 26 CHAPTER XII. CAUSAL CO-ORDINATION. 1. The connection of cause and effect in its various forms, may be expressed in two ways by co-ordinate sentences: a) the cause, the reason, the ground, the purpose, the condition or the concession is mentioned first, then the fact, the action resulting from a resolution, the conclusion, the means, the contingent effect or the effect not realized. In this case the relation of cause and effect is mostly expressed by conjunctive adverbs or by conjunctive adverbial expressions. b) the fact, the action resulting from a resolution or the conclusion is mentioned first, then the cause, the reason or the ground. In this case the relation of cause and effect is mostly expressed by the conjunction for. The other forms of the connection of cause and effect, when mentioned in this order of succession, cannot be expressed by coordinate sentences. 2. The conjunctive adverbs and adverbial expressions available in expressing the relations of cause-fact, reason-act resulting from a resolution, ground-conclusion and purposemeans are chiefly a) accordingly, consequently, hence, so, then, thence, therefore, thus; b) by consequence, in consequence; c) owing to these circumstances, for this(reason), on this ground, for this purpose), and further word-groups in which an appropriate preposition is followed by this + (pro)noun suggested by the context. |